Mayani's strike not enough as Maidenhead United Women suffer last-gasp FA Cup exit

Maidenhead United Women 1, Worthing Women 2

Maidenhead United Women bowed out of the FA Cup in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday afternoon after Megan Gates’ long-range effort lobbed over a backpeddaling Mia Smith to earn Worthing a 2-1 win.

United had the better of this clash for the most part, and looked the more likely winners after substitute Amelie Mayani came on and scored from her first touch after being set up by Megan Harper in the 72nd minute.

Earlier, visitors Worthing had taken the lead slightly against the run of play when one of their attackers was bundled over in the box, and Jasmine Smith buried her spot kick un the 51st minute.

After Mayani’s leveller, Izzy Stockton and Megan Harper both had chances to win the tie, but Gates chanced her arm with a shot from well outside the area in the 93rd minute which Smith misjudged as she tried to catch it or push it over the bar.

Maidenhead’s players slumped to the ground in disbelief.

Speaking to club media after Sunday’s defeat, Mayani reflected: “I got called over and told I’m going to go on. And basically within 30-35 seconds I had the ball in the back of the net with my first touch of the game. I remember seeing a gap between the centre-back and left-back and I curved my run, stayed onside.

"Meg spotted the gap and my run, and she played a perfect ball through, and yeah first touch of the game, just inside the penalty box I slotted it through the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net. It’s something we’ve worked on in training and it’s nice to see it pay off. I can’t really remember the feeling; it was just one of happiness and a bit of shock to be honest. It’s a great feeling scoring and especially being 1-0 down at the time, so getting the equalising goal so quick after being bought on is just…. yeah!”

She added: “Obviously we didn’t have the performance we hoped for and didn’t get the score we wanted.

“However, on a personal note it’s always great to get a goal and help the team out and it’s the first time I’ve played in the FA Cup.”

Highlights ️ | @fc_video captured the best of the @AdobeWFACup action yesterday and @the_commentator joined us to describe the action. Click below to see the highlights of a dramatic match https://t.co/rLaHVqPJiH pic.twitter.com/zQyt5wfawQ

— Maidenhead United Women (@mufcyorkroadwfc) October 6, 2025

Having taken her chance to impress on Sunday, Mayani is now pushing to be involved from the start when the Magpies visit FAWNL Division 1 South West front-runners Moneyfields this Sunday (October 12).

Having taken her chance after coming off the bench on Sunday, Mayani will hope to be involved from the start when the Magpies visit second placed Moneyfields in Sunday’s FAWNL Division 1 South West clash.

The Magpies have now gone five matches without a win in all competitions and have lost their last three. Heavy cup defeats to AFC Wimbledon (6-1) and the Chelsea Academy (7-1) have also dented confidence after a positive start to the campaign.

“It’s been good having Dave (Kitson) and Sean (Hillier) in charge,” said Mayani.

“They’ve bought a new level and drive to the team which has set our standards higher of one what we expect from ourselves and in the games we play.”